NAPSNet Daily Report 16 November, 2001

Recommended Citation

"NAPSNet Daily Report 16 November, 2001", NAPSNet Daily Report, November 16, 2001, https://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-daily-report/napsnet-daily-report-16-november-2001/

 
CONTENTS

I. United States

1. Inter-Korean Relations
2. US-DPRK Relations
3. Japanese Military Support in US Led Action
II. Republic of Korea 1. ROK Support for War Against Terrorism
2. ROK Purchase on Fighter Jet

I. United States

1. Inter-Korean Relations

Agence France-Presse (Jun Kwan-Woo, “SOUTH KOREA’S “SUNSHINE POLICY” ENTERS FROSTY SPELL,” Seoul, 11/16/01) reported that the ROK’s “Sunshine Policy” of rapprochement towards the DPRK is set for a long cold spell after the collapse of high-level peace talks. The ROK media on Thursday intensified their criticisms of ROK President Kim Dae-Jung’s policy and chastised the DPRK for the talks’ failure. The English-language Korea Times said, “Now is the time for the government to sincerely consider whether these kinds of talks, hindered by the North’s habitual and old-fashioned strategies, should continue.” The Dong-A Ilbo urged the government to stop appealing to DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il for a return visit to the ROK. Paik Hak-Soon of the Sejong Institute, an ROK think-tank, said, “It is inevitable that there will be a pause in the inter-Korean peace process for the time being, but the retreat will not last for good.” He said that he expected the DPRK, which is in dire economic straits, to return to talks with the ROK in the hope of winning more aid.

2. US-DPRK Relations

The Associated Press (“RUMSFELD CALLS MISSILE THREAT ‘VERY REAL’,” Washington, 11/16/01) reported that US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said that the DPRK poses a “very real” threat to the US through its missile development, export policies and attempts to produce weapons of mass destruction. Rumsfeld spoke of the US government’s worries about the reclusive communist state during a joint news conference with ROK defense minister Kim Dong- shin in Hong Kong. During their talks, Kim said he and Rumsfeld re-affirmed support for resumed security talks, without conditions, between the US and the DPRK. Regarding whether the DPRK has been providing chemical or biological weapons to the Afghan-based al-Qaida group or other terrorist organizations, Rumsfeld said he had seen “scraps of things” over time but had nothing to announce. Asked about the DPRK’s potential to threaten the US, Rumsfeld responded, “It’s clear they’ve been making efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction… The capabilities that they are selling as well as seeking do constitute a very real threat.”

3. Japanese Military Support

Reuters (Linda Sieg, “JAPAN POISED TO APPROVE U.S. STRIKE SUPPORT PLAN,” Tokyo, 11/16/01) reported that Japan is poised to approve a landmark plan for its military to provide non-combat support for the US-led war in Afghanistan. It is the first plan outlining Japan’s first overseas military deployment since World War II. Japanese media said that a draft of the plan provides for dispatch around November 26 of two supply ships, four destroyers, six C-130 transport planes and one multi-purpose plane along with around 1,500 personnel. The government allocated US$124.2 million to the Defense Agency for counter-terrorism steps in an extra budget enacted on Friday, and could also draw from a 50 billion yen reserve fund to pay for the operation, which Kyodo news agency said could cost up to US$163.7 billion if it lasts one year. Still up in the air was whether Japan would dispatch one of its four Aegis destroyers. Domestic media said a final decision on that point is not likely until next week. President of the Research Institute for Peace and Security in Tokyo Akio Watanabe said, “If things develop beyond Afghanistan and so on, there may be an argument as to whether this legislation can apply to a larger situation.” Analysts said Japanese forces would be unlikely to take part in any peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan, given the rule that a cease-fire be in place before they can do so.

II. Republic of Korea

1. ROK Support

The Korea Herald (Kang Seok-jae, “WASHINGTON ASKS SEOUL FOR MEDICAL UNIT, LIAISON OFFICERS, 11/16/01) reported that the ROK Defense Ministry said on November 15 that the US has requested that the ROK dispatch liaison officers and medical support personnel to Afghanistan to help assist the ongoing US-led campaign against terrorism. In a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage in Washington on November 14, ROK Defense Minister Kim Dong-shin welcomed the US request for military support. An ROK Defense Ministry spokesman said, “As the United States has officially requested the dispatch, we will meet U.S. military officials to work out details on the timing and places where our troops will be deployed. The dispatch also requires approval from the cabinet and the National Assembly.” [Ed. note: This article appeared in the US Department of Defense’s Early Bird news service for November 16, 2001.]

2. ROK Fighter Jet Purchase Joongang Ilbo (Kim Hee-sung, “U.S. PRESSURE ON F-X PROJECT LIKELY TO TRIGGER CONTROVERSY,” Seoul, 11/16/01) reported that a controversy is expected ahead as the US shows signs of pressuring the ROK to purchase US weapons for the ROK’s F-X project. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Douglas J. Feith said that the US F-15K is well-suited for the F-X project given its capabilities. Feith also added that the US would provide all possible support for future purchasing negotiations if the ROK considers the matter. US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld underscored the importance of mutual operation for the combined forces of the two countries that include weapons operation. ROK Defense Minister Kim said, “We will be reviewing not only performance, but the level of technology transfer, and price. All these factors will be viewed comprehensively and the candidate will be determined in a transparent and fair manner.” One observer in the ROK said, “Washington’s plain request to purchase its F-15K fighter jet could only bring adverse reaction from Seoul. It seems Washington still has some trouble understanding the political-cultural atmosphere of South Korea.”

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Produced by the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainable Development in partnership with:
International Policy Studies Institute Seoul, Republic of Korea
Center for American Studies,
Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
International Peace Research Institute (PRIME),
Meiji Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan
Monash Asia Institute,
Monash University, Clayton, Australia

Brandon Yu: napsnet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States

Gee Gee Wong: napsnet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States

Timothy L. Savage: napsnet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States

Kim Hee-sun: khs688@hotmail.com
Seoul, Republic of Korea

Hibiki Yamaguchi: hibikiy@dh.mbn.or.jp
Tokyo, Japan

Rumiko Seya: rumiko-seya@geocities.co.jp
Tokyo, Japan

Hiroya Takagi: hiroya_takagi@hotmail.com
Tokyo, Japan

Peter Razvin: icipu@glas.apc.org
Moscow, Russian Federation

Yunxia Cao: yunxiac@yahoo.com
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Dingli Shen: dlshen@fudan.ac.cn
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

John McKay: John.McKay@adm.monash.edu.au
Clayton, Australia

 


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